MUSCATINE Iowa – Spreading the love and supporting individuals with cancer one hug at a time is the mission of Pink Heals, Inc., a national organization with chapters across the United States. The Pink Heals Sauk Valley Chapter will be in Muscatine this Saturday with their pink firetruck visiting individuals and their caregivers while raising awareness about cancer throughout the day.
The volunteers will visit Pearl Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare, Sunnybrook at Muscatine, Bickford Senior Living, and UnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine Saturday morning visiting with the residents and staff.
The firetruck will be stationed at Sal Vitale’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, 1010 Park Avenue, from 1-3 p.m. and then will join the Relay for Life event in Downtown Muscatine from 4-9 p.m. near the Missipi Brew on Iowa Avenue.
Pink Heals was established by retired firefighter Dave Graybill in 2007 with the idea to bring public safety officers together to fund raise and keep the money in their own community. What began with one repurposed fire truck driven solely by Graybill now encompasses dozens of vehicles in two countries supported by hundreds of volunteers. The Pink Heals program now drives much needed support for a wide range of community based initiatives around the world.
The Muscatine Fire Department is teaming up with Pink Heals Sauk Valley Chapter to bring the message to Muscatine, to raise awareness about cancer, and to provide encouragement for those who are affected in any way. Individuals who have cancer are offered the chance to sign their name on the firetruck as a lasting remembrance of their battle. Individuals who have lost a loved one to cancer are also invited to sign the truck as a lasting memorial.
Volunteers with the pink firetruck will be able to answer questions and have t-shirts for sale which is their major fund raiser for the Pink Heals program.
You can visit the Pink Heals website (http://www.pinkfiretrucks.org/) or visit the Sauk Valley Chapter Facebook page. For more information on the Relay for Life activities, visit the Muscatine Relay for Life page on Facebook.